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The Middle East Exchange

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In the face of regional turmoil, exacerbated by the rise of the Islamic State, many Arab governments are embracing a new solution-oriented agenda – focused on economic diversification, improved education systems, and private-sector-led growth – to stimulate reform and development. In “The Middle East Exchange” Project Syndicate, in partnership with Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, provides a unique global platform to help frame and stimulate regional and global debate on the vital development issues shaping Arab societies.

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  1. Ending Religious Violence in the Middle East
    Sharia law, refugee camp in Pakistan Veronique de Viguerie/Getty Images

    Ending Religious Violence in the Middle East

    Dec 8, 2016 Moha Ennaji argues that the problem is not Islam, but inadequate social and economic policies.

  2. Training for Gender Equality
    Female dentist students Kaveh Kazemi/Getty Images

    Training for Gender Equality

    Dec 1, 2016 Arib Ali Al-Mandhari recommends strategies for empowering women to play a more active role in Middle Eastern societies.

  3. Egypt and Tunisia’s Divergent Paths
    4th anniversary of Egypt Revolution Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

    Egypt and Tunisia’s Divergent Paths

    Nov 22, 2016 Ishac Diwan explores how each country's political system will determine its future economic prospects.

  4. An Economic Ultimatum for the Arab World
    5 year anniversary of Arab Spring Fethi Belaid/Getty Images

    An Economic Ultimatum for the Arab World

    Nov 16, 2016 Marwan Muasher says that unless Arab countries move away from rentierism, they risk another wave of uprisings.

  5. The Secret of Dubai’s Success
    Dubai Skyline Andrew Holbrooke/Getty Images

    The Secret of Dubai’s Success

    Nov 11, 2016 Yasser Al-Saleh explains how a city-state with limited resources became a global economic and cultural hub.

  6. Can Lebanon Escape the Resource Curse?
    Beruit Skyline Anwar Amro/Getty Images

    Can Lebanon Escape the Resource Curse?

    Nov 3, 2016 Nasser Saidi says the country could transform itself with oil and gas production if it adopts key reforms now.

Our Pick

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  1. zadek30_Jonas GratzerLightRocket via Getty Images_bioplastic Jonas Gratzer/LightRocket via Getty Images
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    Only a Sustainable Bioeconomy Can Save Us

    Simon Zadek argues that investing in biodiversity while the global economy continues to over-exploit resources is futile.
  2. stiglitz341_Celal GunesAnadolu Agency via Getty Images_IMF Celal Gunes/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
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    The IMF Must End Its Destructive Surcharges

    Joseph E. Stiglitz, et al.

    The International Monetary Fund’s surcharge policy has led to an unseemly state of affairs: countries in financial distress have become the largest source of net revenue to the Fund in recent years. These surcharges must be eliminated or, at the very least, adjusted to reduce the excessive burden on highly indebted countries.

     decry the counterproductive practice of imposing additional fees on countries in debt distress.
  3. palacio161_FILIPPO MONTEFORTEAFP via Getty Images_europeLNG Filippo Monteforte/AFP via Getty Images
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    Conflict and Competitiveness in Europe

    Ana Palacio supports the EU reform agenda recently proposed by former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
  4. yi15_Kevin FrayerGetty Images_chinababy Kevin Frayer/Getty Images
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    China Shuts Down Its International-Adoption Machine

    Yi Fuxian

    When it comes to alleviating the severe demographic crisis that China faces, prohibiting international adoptions of Chinese children amounts to a mere drop in the bucket. Still, the government's decision to do so is significant, as it reflects a long-overdue recognition that people should not be viewed as a burden.

     welcomes the government's apparent recognition that a severe demographic crisis looms.
  5. anelson1_MARCO LONGARIAfpAFP via Getty Images_senegalelection Marco Longaria/AFP via Getty Images
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    From the Year of Elections to the Year of Governance

    Adam Nelson & Kristen Sample highlight five major challenges reformist governments must confront to minimize populist threats.
  6. berglof39_LUIS TATOAFP via Getty Images_africarenewableenergy Luis Tato/AFP via Getty Images
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    Africa’s Path to Green Prosperity

    Erik Berglöf highlights the potential that a young population and abundant renewable-energy resources represent.
  7. ghosh80_MUNIR UZ ZAMANAFP via Getty Images_plasticpollution Munir Uz Zaman/AFP via Getty Images
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    Saving the Planet from Plastics

    Jayati Ghosh explains why recycling alone is not enough to mitigate the health and climate effects of overproduction.
  8. bp trump harris debate Photo by Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Images
    1

    What Harris and Trump Will Do

    With less than two months to go until the US presidential election, the candidates’ opposing worldviews, objectives, and priorities – and their implications for international relations, the economy, and democracy – have come into sharper focus. While it is impossible to know exactly what a leader will do once in office, the contours of both a Donald Trump and a Kamala Harris presidency are remarkably well defined.

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    The Big Picture

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